hardback

A "hardback" - also often called a "hardcover" - is a book with stiff, firm covers. It is the opposite of a paperback, which has a soft paper cover. These books are usually stronger and last longer, so people often buy them when they want a book that feels solid and keeps well over time.

You might buy a hardback copy of a novel, or see both hardback and paperback versions in a library or bookshop. A book may come out in hardback first and later appear as a paperback. The word can also describe the format itself: "a hardback edition" means a version with stiff covers.

The word "hardback" describes a book with rigid, protective covers, usually made from thick board and covered with paper, cloth, or sometimes leather. This is different from a paperback, which has a flexible paper cover. Hardbacks are known for being more durable and often feel more solid and long-lasting.

For a long time, this was the normal way many books were made, before cheaper paperback printing became common. Today, publishers often release a new title in hardback first, then bring out a cheaper paperback edition later. Because of that, people sometimes connect hardbacks with new releases, gift books, library copies, or books they want to keep for a long time.

The term can refer to the book itself or to the format. You might say, "I bought the hardback," meaning the physical copy with stiff covers. You might also say, "This novel is available in hardback and paperback," where the word refers to the type of edition. In everyday English, "hardback" and "hardcover" usually mean the same thing.

The word is used mainly for books. People use it when talking about buying books, collecting them, borrowing them from a library, or comparing one edition with another. In that sense, "hardback" suggests a book that is sturdier than a paperback and often a little more expensive.